Description of the course
This course the basics of research methodology. Topics include introduction to research, types of research, literature review and its types, and research designs and their descriptions. The course prepares students for conducting literature review for their thesis by performing mock exercises on given topics. The course further addresses rules of scientific writing applied when preparing research proposals or papers. At the end of the course, students are expected to submit a research proposal including a viable research problem statement, research design and literature review.
Description of the participants
This course is mandatory for Masters and PhD students. In the spring 2022 semester it was attended by 42 students enrolled in Master’s degrees and 4 PhD students. The students were mostly enrolled in the Software Engineering and Computer Science Departments.
Description of gamified design thinking activities
For this course, it was very unconventional to use design thinking as a teaching and learning method. In the start of the course students were introduced with design thinking activity in the context of a workshop. Later during the course, students were encouraged to use design thinking to identify their research problem and propose solution ideas. The focus of student work was not on solution authentication, but on the learning of the design thinking process. Students used design thinking steps to identify a research problem and to ideate on possible solutions stemming from their literature review.
Students worked on a semester-long project, which was organized around design thinking principles and steps.
Step 1. Identify a research problem and develop a problem statement definition.
Students identified a research problem based on their early literature review and developed a problem statement.
Step 2. Develop a research design.
Students were asked to develop a research design to solve the problem in focus. To achieve this, they extended the literature review.
Step 3. Solution synthesis.
Students were asked to synthesize a solution to their research problem and demonstrate it through any possible method. Some students chose to present their solutions through prototypes while others through mock experiments.
